Conserve Water.
Rain or Shine.
Simple shifts to conserve in our daily lives can make a big difference. Here are some simple actions you can take to help reduce water use inside and outside your home.
Fill Bathtub Halfway or Less
Save 17–25 gallons per day
Filling up your bathtub halfway or less can save 17-25 gallons of water per person every bath.
Fix Leaks
Save 27–90 gallons per day
Even a leak the size of a ballpoint pen can add up to thousands of gallons of water wasted! Fixing leaks inside and outside the home can save 27 to 90 gallons of water each day.
Turn Off Water When Brushing Teeth or Shaving
Save 8 gallons per day
By turning off the water when brushing teeth or shaving you can save 8 gallons of water per person per day.
Install High-Efficiency Toilets
Save 6– 35 gallons per day
Installing high-efficiency toilets can save 6-35 gallons per day.
Recycle Indoor Water and Irrigate Your Garden
Save 30% water use
Recycling indoor water to use outdoors can cut water use by 30%.
Take 5-minute Showers
Save 12.5 gallons per shower
Keeping showers under 5 minutes can save 12.5 gallons per shower when using a water-efficient showerhead.
Install Aerators
Save 0.7 gallons Per Minute
Installing aerators can save .7 gallons per minute.
Wash Full Loads of Clothes and Dishes
Save 27–90 gallons per day
Washer: saves 15–45 gallons per load. Dishwasher: saves 5–15 gallons per load.
Around the House
Simple habits to help reduce water use inside your home
Fill Bathtub Halfway or Less
Fix Leaks
Turn Off Water When Brushing Teeth or Shaving
Install High-Efficiency Toilets
Recycle Indoor Water and Irrigate Your Garden
Take 5-minute Showers
Install Aerators
Wash Full Loads of Clothes and Dishes
Reimagine Your Yard with Water-Wise Plants
Save 30–60 gallons
Consider removing your lawn and replacing it with drought-resistant plants to save 30–60 gallons per 1,000 sq. ft. each time you water. Plant California Native Plants because they require half as much water.
Install Drip Irrigation & Add a Smart Controller
Save 15 gallons
Installing a drip irrigation system and a smart controller for your trees, shrubs and flowers can save 15 gallons each time you water.
Prioritize Watering in Your Yard
Feed your vegetables and fruits water first because they feed you! Water-wise plants and shade trees use little or no water once established. Thirsty plants such as lawn and container plants are the lowest priority.
Use a Broom or Leaf Blower to Clean Outdoor Areas
Save 6 gallons
Using a broom to clean outdoor areas can save 6 gallons every minute you’re not running the hose.
Plant Drought-Resistant Trees and Plants
Save 30–60 gallons
Using drought-resistant plants and trees can save 30–60 gallons per 1000 sq. ft. each time you water. Check with your local water agency on the best plants for your area. It is best to use water-wise, California-native plants when possible.
Set Lawnmower Blades to 3 inches
Save 16–50 gallons
Setting mower blades to three inches encourages deeper roots and saves 16–50 gallons per day.
Adjust Sprinkler Heads & Fix Leaks
Save 12–15 gallons
Saves 12–15 gallons each time you water and a leak about as small as the tip of a ballpoint pen can waste about 6,300 gallons of water per month!
Use Mulch
Save 20–30 gallons
Using mulch can save 20–30 gallons of water per 1000 sq. ft. each time you water.
Around the Yard
Simple habits to help reduce water use outside your home
Reimagine Your Yard with Water-Wise Plants
Install Drip Irrigation & Add a Smart Controller
Prioritize Watering in Your Yard
Use a Broom or Leaf Blower to Clean Outdoor Areas
Plant Drought-Resistant Trees and Plants
Set Lawnmower Blades to 3 inches
Adjust Sprinkler Heads & Fix Leaks
Use Mulch
Prioritize Your Trees
Even if a municipality imposes watering restrictions, you’ll likely be able to properly water trees. Remember, trees are an investment. It will take more water, time, and money to replace a mature tree lost to drought than to keep alive.
Check Your Soil
Check soil moisture to see if it’s time to water. The easiest way is to use a long screwdriver and poke the soil. It will pass easily into moist soil, but be difficult to push into dry soil. If you can’t poke it in at least 6″, it’s time to water.
Watering Young Trees
Young trees (0-3 yrs) need 5 gallons of water 2 -4 times per week. Create a small watering basin with a berm of dirt. Drill a small hole in the bottom of a 5-gallon bucket, place it near the tree, fill it with water, and let it slowly drain. If soil drains slowly, knock down berm in winter.
Watering Established Trees
For established trees (3+ yrs), slowly soak the root zone under the canopy until water soaks 12-18 inches below the surface. Do not water close to the trunk. Use a soaker hose, a sprinkler hose attachment on a low setting, or other watering systems.
Mulch, Mulch, Mulch!
4-6 inches of mulch or leaf litter improves vigor and helps retain moisture, reducing water needs and protecting your trees. Keep mulch from trunks and stems. Mulch also does not compete for water (like lawns) or radiate heat (like rocks).
Limit Pruning and Fertilizer
Avoid pruning or fertilizing trees during dry seasons. Lack of water and too much pruning both stress your tress. Fertilizer encourages leafy growth, which requires more water.
Soak Slowly to Avoid Run-Off
Watering faster than soil can soak it in leads to runoff and waste. Long, slow soaks allows water to go deeper. Place watering system above the trees if on a slope so water flows and soaks around the tree (but not close to the trunk). Use a hose timer so you don’t leave the hose on.
Save the Trees
California needs trees and trees need water. In a drought, responsible water use includes watering your trees.
Prioritize Your Trees
Check Your Soil
Watering Young Trees
Watering Established Trees
Mulch, Mulch, Mulch!
Limit Pruning and Fertilizer
Soak Slowly to Avoid Run-Off
Ready to Transform
Your Yard?
It can cost you less to swap out your lawn for a beautiful water-wise landscape. Find rebates, save water, get curb appeal.
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All Conservation Tips
Wash Full Loads of Clothes and Dishes
Recycle Indoor Water and Irrigate Your Garden
If it’s Clean, Don’t Drain
Recycle Spa Water
Fix Leaks from Your Pool or Spa
Use an Automatic Pool Cleaner
Upgrade to a Cartridge Filter
Watering Established Trees
Soak Slowly to Avoid Run-Off
Turn Off Waterfalls and Fountains
Install High-Efficiency Toilets
Turn Off Water When Brushing Teeth or Shaving
Adjust Sprinkler Heads & Fix Leaks
Limit Pruning and Fertilizer
Check Your Soil
Prioritize Your Trees
Take 5-minute Showers
Fix Leaks
Use Mulch
Install Aerators
Reimagine Your Yard with Water-Wise Plants
Fill Bathtub Halfway or Less
Set Lawnmower Blades to 3 inches
Cover Up
Plant Drought-Resistant Trees and Plants
Install Drip Irrigation & Add a Smart Controller
Use a Broom or Leaf Blower to Clean Outdoor Areas
Mulch, Mulch, Mulch!
Prioritize Watering in Your Yard
Watering Young Trees
Turn Off Waterfalls and Fountains
Shutting off waterfalls, fountains and other features reduces water loss and evaporation when not in use.
Recycle Spa Water
When you drain your hot tub, let it sit open for 48–72 hours with no new chemicals added. Then, the water will be safe to use on most garden plants.
If it’s Clean, Don’t Drain
Pools only need to be drained if required for repair. With proper maintenance, spas only need to be changed a maximum of 3 times a year.
Use an Automatic Pool Cleaner
Choose a pool cleaner that keeps water crystal clear so there’s no need to drain!
Upgrade to a Cartridge Filter
Replace aging sand or DE filtering systems with a cartridge filter that does not require backwashing.
Cover Up
Reduce evaporation with a spa or pool cover. Well-maintained covers can save up to 50% of the water you might lose.
Fix Leaks from Your Pool or Spa
Fix leaks immediately to help save thousands of gallons per month.